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Boks hit self-destruct button

THE impression that the words “crisis” and “South African rugby” are inseparable was strengthened last week when Brian van Rooyen, president of the South African Rugby Football Union, found himself under siege from all sides, writes Nick Cain.

If it was not rebellious Springboks unhappy with the new contracts, it was gun-toting spectators threatening players and officials in club matches. To make matters worse, Van Rooyen’s deputy, Keith Parkinson, resigned, accusing his boss of being too autocratic.

The row over the contracts escalated last week when lock Victor Matfield, who has a reputation for being a shop steward for the Afrikaners in the South African squad, was sent home from Australia before the Springboks’ 38-24 victory over the Pacific Islanders in Gosford last Saturday. The official line from Jake White, the new South Africa coach, was that Matfield had a knee injury and would not be fit to face the